Full disclosure: This debate snuck up on me, and I was only able to catch some of the highlights this morning. From all the reactions, it appears that this debate has been the best Democratic debate so far, and from what I saw, I agree.
The main difference is probably the questions. The Youtube-submitted videos included several questions that usually don't make the cut but were able to bring out some differences and information about the candidates that we usually don't see. For example, we learned that every Democrat will draft your daughter along with your son for the next war. If we need a draft. Which we as a country have needed about every 40 years or so, on average. Anyway, the next one the daughters get to go. Chris Dodd said, "sure, send women, what's the difference". Folks this is the best example I've seen of liberal ideology over common sense and nature.
On another question, about saying something nice to the candidate on your left, John Edwards definitely had the gayest response of the evening when he joked that he "wasn't sure about that [Hillary's] coat." Much yuk-yuks all around, but this was probably telegraphing some annoyance that all the men had to wear standard dark suits while Hillary Clinton, as a woman, could stand out with a bright pink jacket. An ability she used to full effect.
This morning the discussion seems to be centered around whether Barack Obama killed his campaign with his promise to meet "without precondition" the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba, and North Korea. This was in itself a problem for the Democrats, but for the general election, where he can now be portrayed as your standard Jimmy Carter dictator appeaser. Which hurts his electability, which does come back to hurt him in the primary. Not fatal, but bad, very bad.
Bill Richardson has the best resume and looks good on paper, but on poise he comes up far, far short, especially sharing a podium with Barack and Hillary, who both look presidential and are remarkably polished. He did better than he has done, but not good enough, not by a long shot. Right now it's all Hillary and Barack, with Edwards definitely running for VP.
Good debate, brought out some interesting differences, which is what it's all about right now.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. I think the Nuclear responses were very telling. Clinton and Obama both were for nuclear while Edwards was against it. Edwards response tells me that he understands how deadly nuclear power is and the problems from using it. Any of the others who are for nuclear or won't commit against it will not have my vote. NUCLEAR POWER IS DEADLY AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE TELLING THE CANDIDATES THE SCORE!
Linda Baker at 11:31AM on Jul 24th 2007
2. Do not twist Hillary's words Linda. She DID NOT say she was for nuclear energy. All she said was we need to use our technology to see if we can have nuclear energy safer.
And edwards won't be running as VP. He already tried that. It will be a Clinton/Obama ticket.
Patrick at 11:36AM on Jul 24th 2007
3. as my husband very wisely put it....the obvious winner of the night's debate was ANDERSON COOPER....is smart, speaks well, knows how to dress. too bad he isn't running.
montie walker at 12:30AM on Jul 27th 2007
4. hey...this was a new way for debate. let's see if the GOP will let the average America ask them questions that was not rehearsed in advance. i gotta give it to each DEM...they did answer the questions. it's another way to see and here each candidate and their plans for America especially with the way technology is used in todays world...as well as for the candidate to see who America is. you know...the average America, no make-up, middle-class worker, couples who work and raises their kids and pay taxes...the ones that seem to be always paying.
hey, maybe the GOP would not call this a debate, but hey, the candidates did let the people speak. something that was new. but like anything else...did enjoy HILLARY! she was the best out of the rest!
iamchavira at 1:45PM on Jul 24th 2007
5. I think all of the contestants for the upcoming election are out of touch with what is going on. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama think you are just going to sit down and talk and have tea with these people that flew airplanes in to the World Trade Center and have cut people's heads off. I would give them about ten to fifteen minutes before they lost their heads. These people want to kill us plain and simple.
mdweber61 at 11:09PM on Jul 26th 2007
6. WHAT A JOKE.THE CANDIDATES HAD ALL THE QUESTIONS BEFORE HAND. CHRIS MATTHEWS EXPOSED THIS.
rudy manfredi at 2:42PM on Jul 24th 2007
7. The "gayest response"? Are we going to keep alive Ann Coulter's ugly Edwards-bashing? Please.
Meanwhile, that crack about "common sense and nature" betrays a 19th Century attitude about a 21st Century dilemma. Women are just as able as men to fight modern wars, but the bottom line is that we have too many wars because the poverty draft (i.e. voluntary enlistment by people with few other options) means there's little pressure on politicans to pursue non-military solutions.
I'm not pro-draft, but there's no denying that having one in place would make our leaders think twice about galloping into a military quagmire. You might ultimately save far more sons AND daughters than have been lost in Dubya's Middle Eastern disasters.
As for "dictator appeasement," your grasp of U.S. history and foreign policy is staggeringly dim. Smart diplomacy is how you avoid horrible, out-of-control conflict. The current government has shown a diplomatic ineptitude that has been manna for most of the world's dictators, warlords and ayatollahs (and while we're on the subject, ask the average Iraqi if things were worse under Saddam ... most will say of course not).
Any one of the Democratic candidates would be superior in the area of foreign policy, not to mention domestic policy, environmental regulation, education and all other areas to the feckless, arrogant, incompetent power junkie now occupying the Oval Office.
Simon at 5:20PM on Jul 24th 2007
8. john edwards is the man and he showed it last night he has a hugh understanding of our problems and excellent solutions as far as hillary is concerned who is she riding in on her husbands coattails and obama to me is a bit crazed johm has copassion intelligence and a real concern for the impoverished
queenie314@aol.com at 6:35PM on Jul 24th 2007
9. i already sent you my comments
ruthe at 5:40PM on Jul 24th 2007
10. john is the man..he has a true knowledge of whats going on and excellent solutions he's compassionate intelligent and has a true feeling for the impoverished who is hillary she's riding in on her husbands coattails and in my opinion obama is a bit crazed look at his eyes
ruthe
ruthe at 5:44PM on Jul 24th 2007
11. john is the man..he has a true knowledge of whats going on and
excellent solutions he's compassionate intelligent and has a true
feeling for the impoverished who is hillary she's riding in on her
husbands coattails and in my opinion obama is a bit crazed look at
his eyes ruthe
ruthe at 6:32PM on Jul 24th 2007
12. Hillary is not riding on Bill's legacy. His politics would not work in America today. She is an intelligent, experienced leader on her own with or without bill.
Patrick at 6:29PM on Jul 24th 2007
13. i did already
queenie314@aol.com at 6:34PM on Jul 24th 2007
14. Your comments: john edwards is the man and he showed it last night he has a hugh
understanding of our problems and excellent solutions as far as
hillary is concerned who is she riding in on her husbands coattails
and obama to me is a bit crazed he frightens me john has compassion intelligence and a
real concern for the impoverished
ruthe at 6:38PM on Jul 24th 2007
15. JOE BIDEN won hands down again on this another Democatic debates.He is the only candidate with open eyes and ears of what this country is really facing.Really sad the rest are heading in the wrong direction.I will place Joe Biden as the Democratic nominee with either Kucinich or Mike Gravel they sound knowledgeable and look seniority.The point is theres only two major political Parties and that means no middle of the road comments and remarks.You either a Party that against everything the Republican is doing or both Parties work together to accomplish a common goal to eliminate the threat from the extreme terrorist.The front runners all seems to each stand one leg in each side ,one leg on the Republican views another one with Democratics views.This is a short live strategy especially if you go against a real good opponents in the general election.You either for everything or against everything and Democratic voters will not tolerate such idea.Therefore they will elect the outspoken Kucinich,Joe Biden or a Mike Gravel for the Democratic Ticket which is an excellent move in their part.Joe for President and Kuicinich or Mike Gravel for Vice President,now thats a winning ticket.DEmocrats lets vote them candidates if we want to win.
Pen at 5:17AM on Jul 25th 2007